Jupiter puts on a show tonight (21/8)

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #1 21-08-2006, 12:50 PM

Hi all,

For those not aware Jupiter has a number of transits going on tonight which should be of interest to both visual observers and imagers, notwithstanding the seeing may not be conducive to high quality images at this time of night.

* The GRS commences it's transit at 3:05pm EST.

* Europa Commences its transit at 3:55pm EST.

* Io commences its transit at 5.45pm EST

* Europa's transit concludes at 6:25pm at which time its shadow transit commences.

* The GRS transit concludes at 6:55pm

* Io's shadow transit commences at 6:57pm

* From 6:57pm until 7:50pm you will have Io and the shadow of Europa and Io visible against Jupiters disc. Io's transit concludes at 7:50pm

* Europa's shadow transit concludes at 8:50pm and Io's shadow transit concludes at 9:00pm which will bring the show to an end.

I am not sure of the transit times for Red Spot Jnr but it will also be visible during this time.

A rare transit feast which you should try to observe, circumstances and weather permitting.

CS-John B

iceman (Mike) · #2 21-08-2006, 12:51 PM

Yep, been looking forward to this one all week. Skies are looking clear for me, jetstream *may* be favourable depending on how fast it moves across to the east.

double-shadow transit + GRS will be very nice.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #3 21-08-2006, 12:56 PM

Thanks for the reminder, John. Weather down here is looking so-so.

iceman (Mike) · #4 21-08-2006, 01:08 PM

Here's the image I got last Monday night, of another double-transit-with-GRS value meal

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...5&d=1155699589

Lester · #5 21-08-2006, 01:37 PM

Will be shooting this one through the jetstream.

asimov (John) · #6 21-08-2006, 01:46 PM

Unless the wind drops, I won't be bothering.

Robert_T · #7 21-08-2006, 03:34 PM

Jetstream Map has Mike looking good, but the Jetstream still screaming overhead up here and spilling over onto SA...

Up to you I think Mike

Rodstar (Rod) · #8 21-08-2006, 06:04 PM

Scope cooling as we speak...looking forward to seeing some of the action in the next hour or two. I am hoping that there is no transit with my wife, wielding a stick regarding getting children off to bed etc etc....

Tamtarn · #9 21-08-2006, 06:36 PM

Ditto Rod our scope is also cooling as we speak

Lovely dark blue clear sky as the sun sets in the Yarra Valley

All set ready to go things look perfect at this stage.

Fingers crossed.

Barb & David

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #10 21-08-2006, 07:02 PM

I have just been out having a quick look. The seeing looks like it is going to be brilliant but the scope is still cooling. I was able to get a nice image at about 210X with the 6mm ortho, despite the still cooling scope. Europa has left the disc and is now about 5" away from the planet. Io is in transit and right on the meridian and Europa's shadow can be seen just beginning it's transit. Io is a little difficult to spot as it is set right in the middle of the SEB.

CS-John B

Rodstar (Rod) · #11 21-08-2006, 07:08 PM

I have two scopes set up now....Noah's ED80, and the Buzz-Click. First views through the SCT pretty apalling. Needs lots more cooling I fear. Maybe need to put it in a bucket of ice??

iceman (Mike) · #12 21-08-2006, 08:31 PM

I got a few images early on, but by just after 7pm it had gone behind the roof of my house (even at 50deg!), cause i'm down on the front driveway so the house is a long way up from there!

The seeing started out ok, but got worse quickly. Tube currents and boundary layer were the main culprit, starting at 1.5deg difference but going to > 2 as the ambient temperature dropped quickly.

I may have something to post, but the second shadow had not lot long begun its transit when I started packing up

I need peltier cooling!

asimov (John) · #13 21-08-2006, 08:37 PM

The breeze never abated in time here so I didn't even get to 1st base setting up the scope.

Such is astrophotography.

Rodstar (Rod) · #14 21-08-2006, 08:46 PM

I ended up getting some half decent views of the second transit. Was not able to push beyond 150x though. Now that the scope is out and cooled (and children tucked in bed), I will now go on to some other observing. Clear skies folks.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #15 21-08-2006, 09:03 PM

Mike,

Maybe you need an air pump to remove the Boundary layer

I had some really nice views at 250X within 30 minutes of getting the scope out and in position.

Seeing was quite good. With the same 5mm Pentax XW in place (250X) I was able to split Antares pretty easily and Nu Scorpii.

CS-John B

janoskiss (Steve H) · #16 21-08-2006, 09:50 PM

Disappointingly poor seeing in Melbourne for the entire duration of the event.

Tamtarn · #17 21-08-2006, 10:55 PM

Just come back inside due to cloud rolling in.
Due to collimation problems Jupiter wasn't as good as we normally view it.
Had a great 3 Hours of very good seeing inspite of this problem.
Galaxies included NGC 253 : 247 : 55 : 300 : Centaurus A . And of course all our favourite Nebulas, one of our better nights for sometime.

Barb & David

mickoking · #18 21-08-2006, 11:21 PM

Raining in Perth. No Jupe tonight.

iceman (Mike) · #19 22-08-2006, 06:11 AM

John, I do plan to put a fan on the side of the scope to move the boundary layer, in addition to the cooling on the back.

Robert_T · #20 22-08-2006, 08:17 AM

well I got it, but the seeing was dissapointing to say the least! Can't complain too much the cloud at least cleared at the right time